Learn, Code, Conquer

We teach beginners how to create web and mobile applications.

Code Chicago is a series of hands-on, 10-12 week mobile Android, iOS and web (Ruby on Rails, HTML5/CSS/Javascript) programming and design courses held at the innovation center, BLUE1647, where every participant will work with one another and join in the spirit of collaboration and learning. It is this aspect of education that we trust would resonate most with our students — and that with an open atmosphere where no question is off limits, we see interesting and inspiring thinking about how to embrace the openness of the web and mobile platform as an opportunity palette — and to really push what might seem conventionally possible with a web browser, and a mobile device having an internet connection.

Our sessions are relaxed, and our students in attendance leave being able to approach problems from multiple perspectives and skill-sets — not accepting simple technical limitations as barriers to executing on a vision. At the end of a course, students will have a strong understanding on logic and basic programming syntax and structure as well as will have designed, implemented, and deployed functional web or mobile applications.

The courses are structured to emphasize group collaboration, which is at the very heart of most modern project developments. It’s not only about Ruby on Rails, Android and iOS programming, it’s also about learning to think critically to solve problems and develop team-building skills, which will be invaluable in your future workplace. Our goal is to familiarize you with the intricacies of these programming platforms, while at the same time, fostering inspirational thinking, which will create future opportunities for you. Code Chicago is not stodgy or static; we are seeking to actively push the boundaries in new and unexpected ways, and we want you to participate. We teach beginners how to create web, and mobile applications.

City of Chicago Mayor, Rahm Emanuel

"I congratulate the founders of Blue1647 on an innovative, exciting venture. The technology sector in Chicago is a growing, crucial area that will have an enormous impact on the City's economy in the future. I am pleased that organizations like Blue1647 are focused on improving the diversity of the sector and ensuring that as our economy grows it reflects the diversity and vibrancy of the city's people."

Great Value

Code Chicago provides great value; comparable programs will cost 4 – 6 times as much. At the same time, gaining the skills and tools necessary for the development industry. Our vision is to empower you to bring your own dreams to life through coding. We want to take you far beyond simplistic “by-the-book” training and give you the tools to make an impact. Students also receive (or get to):

1. Free co-working space at BLUE1647, and access to events during their enrollment.

2. Additional help from our members that are entrepreneurs and developers.

3. Participate in “Hackathons”.

4. Develop personal relationships with our partner organizations.

5. Direct interaction from on-site instructors.

Flexibility

This is a flexible learning opportunity; our courses are perfect for busy professionals and students alike. Code Chicago is offering you an accessibly priced, accelerated part-time learning environment - where students are still able to have jobs and maintain their familial relationships while attending class.

Through our specialized approach to education, we have a great mix of teachers pulled directly from industry who are able to lend support and impart hands-on experience, as opposed to classes that require students to teach themselves how to program with supplemental materials using instructors as guides to help students when they're stuck or have questions. In short, we’re able to achieve the same goals as other groups, only in a much shorter amount of time.

Web + Mobile

Code Chicago’s accelerated web, and mobile training program places emphasis on developing your own web and mobile app(s), this is a perfect place to meet collaborators for future projects or even assemble your own team for a future project. Whether you're a beginner, or advancing student, you learn the importance collaboration plays in technical development, and will be confronted by certain challenges, which push you towards further developing your “strategic vision”. Upon successful completion of the program, you also become part of an Alumni Network, providing further mentorship, and job opportunities along with on-going support.

Invest in yourself

Finally, this is an investment in yourself, and your career, at a cost that is nearly impossible to pass on. The training and creative problem solving concepts you will learn will energize your ingenuity, and make you more employable. Classes require around 8-15 hours of effort per week from students in order to maximize the student’s return on their investment. Whether you’re planning on pursuing college, aiming to change your career, or want to try to forge a path on your own, our unique learning opportunities will prepare you for the road ahead by imparting tangible skills with real-world value.

Our Code Chicago curriculum was designed by industry practitioners within the tech community.

Designed for beginners, this course will teach you how to develop applications for the Android, iOS, Windows mobile etc). This 12-week training class is 70% hands-on, 30% lecture and you do not need to own a Mobile device to take this course. You will build foundational front-end coding skills, coupled with back-end development, learn about the mobile development industry, and create an app, developing a digital portfolio. We will ensure that our participants excel in developing cross browser applications targeting both desktop and mobile clients via responsive design. The class is aimed towards beginners. All students should approach learning to code while simultaneously resolving to form good practice habits. A good habit is something that you practice in regularly (e.g. daily (best), weekly). A good habit isn’t something that you intend to do. Learning to code requires commitment.

BYOL: Bring your own laptop.

If you purchased a class seat through CourseHorse, then our Refund & Cancellation policy applies to your purchase. If you are entitled to a refund, or have any questions, please contact CourseHorse here.

Designed for beginners, this course will give you a solid foundation in learning Ruby, then (Ruby on) Rails. It’s recommended to familiarize yourself with the essentials of programming using Ruby, which is known as one of the most beginner-friendly (English-like syntax) programming languages, and Rails has quickly become one of the most popular frameworks for web application development, powering sites like Twitter and Groupon. This course will be collaborative, teach the fundamentals of Ruby, and how to build a basic web application. You will create a web app and digital portfolio. The class is aimed towards beginners (although people with prior programming experiences are welcome). Participants are expected to complete a minimum of 5-hours of homework challenges. Those that complete this class are encourage to take our intermediate Rails class.

BYOL: Bring your own laptop (Mac preferred).

If you purchased a class through CourseHorse, then our Refund & Cancellation policy applies to your purchase. If you are entitled to a refund, or have any questions, please contact CourseHorse here.

Intermediate Rails

This class dives deeper into the professional aspects of Ruby on Rails software development, with an emphasis on collaboration, teamwork, automated testing, maintainability, and other skills one traditionally learns on the job. Students will be writing code, getting timely and frequent feedback from instructors. In this course, you will learn more in-depth techniques and strategies for programming with Ruby on Rails. You will apply automated and functional testing to build reliable code, and utilize form authentication to secure code. Throughout the course, you will be creating more robust applications that uses Ruby libraries and instructors to coach you throughout your skills advancement.

Prerequisites: This course is meant for the intermediate student or for developers who know Ruby, how to create basic Rails applications on their own, and have experience with a relational database such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, or Oracle.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling-basis.

TUITION DISCOUNTS

We're focused on increasing the diversity of thought in tech, and do our best to help make this affordable for everyone, so we're including tuition discounts on the program.

We're devoted toward helping to develop relevant coding skills while lowering financial barriers for those wanting relevant in-person instruction. In addition to providing talented individuals with technical guidance, you qualify for a $500 scholarship if you're female, a veteran of the U.S. Military, or from an ethnic minority group underrepresented in the software engineering field (African American, Chicano/Latino, Native American, Pacific Islander).

We hope this will enlarge the market of people that can affect change and solve problems in our communities, but also come out with cool apps that solve everyday problems for everyone.

If you're an individual or organization who would be willing to sponsor a student's tuition, feel free to contact us below. We consistently have an impressive batch that can benefit from being in the program, and some have requested a scholarship.

Our Team

Teachers from industry, mentors & curriculum architects.

Work in teams with other students like you in a collaborative coworking space!

Students receive (or get to):

1. Free co-working space at BLUE1647, and access to our events during their enrollment.

2. Additional help from our members that are entrepreneurs and developers.

3. Participate in “Hackathons”.

4. Develop personal relationships with our partner organizations.

5. Direct interaction from on-site instructors.

What our students have said

"I appreciate the generosity, flexibility and all the richness that connecting to Code Chicago & BLUE1647 has brought to my life." - Diana K.

I signed up for HTML5/CSS/JS for mobile development with outdated and very little programming knowledge. This class was amazing -- beyond what I could have anticipated! Our instructor, Kenneth Watkins, is extremely knowledgeable, helpful, and will patiently answer any questions you have. He walks through any issues you have. The class was fun and even though it was summer, I looked forward to class! I learned so much. The environment at BLUE|1647 is positive and a nurturing one. Everyone there wants the students to learn and succeed, and they want to help. The class was well worth my time and money, and I hope to take another one at Blue1647." - Gwen P.

"Blue1647 has such a special vibe that you cannot find elsewhere. I love coming and working/learning here!".

"This was a great class. I loved every bit of it and it's all because of the instructors. Josh, Pete, Christian and team were awesome!"

Take your ideas, and launch products.

A glimpse of some of the public products our students built and cofounded.